Hello,
I have a couple of Fisher factory built graphite fly rods, and was wondering if there are any Fisher afficionados out there that know about what year these rods were manufactured.
1) 8' 4wt 4pc Original - gloss charcoal gray blank, spigot ferrules
2) 9' 5/6wt 6pc / 7'6" 5/6wt 5pc Classic Graphite combo (7 total pieces) - gloss dark green blank, spigot ferrules
I really like the 8' 4wt Original....it's a great light trout and panfish rod. Great for small to medium sized cutthroat streams and rivers, super fun with dries and wets, but will also do nymphs and split shot, as well as small streamers when called upon.
I just obtained the 7pc combo....it was factory made with a second butt section, so that it can be a 9' 6pc rod or a 7'6" 5pc rod....pretty cool, actually! It seems to be more of a 5wt after my initial test casting, but also will throw a 6wt just fine as well, especially in closer quarters. I think I could do bluegill to bass, small trout to big trout, on small waters or big waters with this combo rod.
Anyway, both of these rods are medium action, super smooth and accurate, yet will effortlessly toss a lot of line when called upon. I see a Fisher Original model pop up every so often, as well as an occasional fiberglass rod (very sought after), but can't recall seeing a Classic Graphite in recent years at all.
I've really gotten into fiberglass fly rods as of late, but do appreciate these Fisher graphite rods.
Does anyone have any old Fisher catalogs, or otherwise know approximately when these rods were manufactured? I'm reasonably sure it was in the 1980's to mid-1990's, but would appreciate any further info.
- Tom
Full Version: J. Kennedy Fisher rods
Tom,
I picked up a sweet little 3-4 wt built on a Fisher blank that fits your description.It was built in, I believe ,either '89 or '90, so your time frame is about right. Sorry ,can't give you more info on it other than it's still being fished regularly.
best,
Steve
QUOTE(LeoCreek @ Jan 3 2008, 02:47 AM) 
Hello,
I have a couple of Fisher factory built graphite fly rods, and was wondering if there are any Fisher afficionados out there that know about what year these rods were manufactured.
1) 8' 4wt 4pc Original - gloss charcoal gray blank, spigot ferrules
2) 9' 5/6wt 6pc / 7'6" 5/6wt 5pc Classic Graphite combo (7 total pieces) - gloss dark green blank, spigot ferrules
I really like the 8' 4wt Original....it's a great light trout and panfish rod. Great for small to medium sized cutthroat streams and rivers, super fun with dries and wets, but will also do nymphs and split shot, as well as small streamers when called upon.
I just obtained the 7pc combo....it was factory made with a second butt section, so that it can be a 9' 6pc rod or a 7'6" 5pc rod....pretty cool, actually! It seems to be more of a 5wt after my initial test casting, but also will throw a 6wt just fine as well, especially in closer quarters. I think I could do bluegill to bass, small trout to big trout, on small waters or big waters with this combo rod.
Anyway, both of these rods are medium action, super smooth and accurate, yet will effortlessly toss a lot of line when called upon. I see a Fisher Original model pop up every so often, as well as an occasional fiberglass rod (very sought after), but can't recall seeing a Classic Graphite in recent years at all.
I've really gotten into fiberglass fly rods as of late, but do appreciate these Fisher graphite rods.
Does anyone have any old Fisher catalogs, or otherwise know approximately when these rods were manufactured? I'm reasonably sure it was in the 1980's to mid-1990's, but would appreciate any further info.
- Tom
I heard back from the guy I purchased that Classic Graphite combo rod from:
- He got it from a friend in 1988 or 1989 who owned a fly shop, who was trying to become a Fisher dealer, and the rod was provided to the fly shop as a "demonstrator"
- It is not marked as a Demo in any fashion, however, and is in very pristine condition
- Very sweet and versatile rod with nice balance!
- Anyway, I now believe that this is the predecessor to the Universe combo model that started showing up in Fisher catalogs in 1989 - 1990
I also emailed Al Wilkie, who was a Fisher factory rep in late 1980's to early 1990's. He said he found a 1989-1990 Fisher catalog, as well as copy of a Fisher flyer, that he is being kind enough to mail to me.
Steve: What is the length and number of sections on your 3/4wt? Is it a gloss charcoal gray blank?
- My 8' 4wt 4pc Original is one smooth and sweet rod!
- Tom
- He got it from a friend in 1988 or 1989 who owned a fly shop, who was trying to become a Fisher dealer, and the rod was provided to the fly shop as a "demonstrator"
- It is not marked as a Demo in any fashion, however, and is in very pristine condition
- Very sweet and versatile rod with nice balance!
- Anyway, I now believe that this is the predecessor to the Universe combo model that started showing up in Fisher catalogs in 1989 - 1990
I also emailed Al Wilkie, who was a Fisher factory rep in late 1980's to early 1990's. He said he found a 1989-1990 Fisher catalog, as well as copy of a Fisher flyer, that he is being kind enough to mail to me.
Steve: What is the length and number of sections on your 3/4wt? Is it a gloss charcoal gray blank?
- My 8' 4wt 4pc Original is one smooth and sweet rod!
- Tom
Hello Tom,
As I remember the 3 rods you are talking about were from 86 until early 90s. If I remember right the gray painted colored rod was a model that we sold for cheaper, it was to use up the tips that were not as straight as we would have used for the expensive models and the gray color was to keep that model separate from the others.
Glad to see people still enjoy our rods!
J. Kennedy Fisher IV ( Ken ) My dad was Joe Fisher.
Hello,
I have a couple of Fisher factory built graphite fly rods, and was wondering if there are any Fisher afficionados out there that know about what year these rods were manufactured.
1) 8' 4wt 4pc Original - gloss charcoal gray blank, spigot ferrules
2) 9' 5/6wt 6pc / 7'6" 5/6wt 5pc Classic Graphite combo (7 total pieces) - gloss dark green blank, spigot ferrules
I really like the 8' 4wt Original....it's a great light trout and panfish rod. Great for small to medium sized cutthroat streams and rivers, super fun with dries and wets, but will also do nymphs and split shot, as well as small streamers when called upon.
I just obtained the 7pc combo....it was factory made with a second butt section, so that it can be a 9' 6pc rod or a 7'6" 5pc rod....pretty cool, actually! It seems to be more of a 5wt after my initial test casting, but also will throw a 6wt just fine as well, especially in closer quarters. I think I could do bluegill to bass, small trout to big trout, on small waters or big waters with this combo rod.
Anyway, both of these rods are medium action, super smooth and accurate, yet will effortlessly toss a lot of line when called upon. I see a Fisher Original model pop up every so often, as well as an occasional fiberglass rod (very sought after), but can't recall seeing a Classic Graphite in recent years at all.
I've really gotten into fiberglass fly rods as of late, but do appreciate these Fisher graphite rods.
Does anyone have any old Fisher catalogs, or otherwise know approximately when these rods were manufactured? I'm reasonably sure it was in the 1980's to mid-1990's, but would appreciate any further info.
- Tom
As I remember the 3 rods you are talking about were from 86 until early 90s. If I remember right the gray painted colored rod was a model that we sold for cheaper, it was to use up the tips that were not as straight as we would have used for the expensive models and the gray color was to keep that model separate from the others.
Glad to see people still enjoy our rods!
J. Kennedy Fisher IV ( Ken ) My dad was Joe Fisher.
QUOTE(LeoCreek @ Jan 2 2008, 10:47 PM)
Hello,
I have a couple of Fisher factory built graphite fly rods, and was wondering if there are any Fisher afficionados out there that know about what year these rods were manufactured.
1) 8' 4wt 4pc Original - gloss charcoal gray blank, spigot ferrules
2) 9' 5/6wt 6pc / 7'6" 5/6wt 5pc Classic Graphite combo (7 total pieces) - gloss dark green blank, spigot ferrules
I really like the 8' 4wt Original....it's a great light trout and panfish rod. Great for small to medium sized cutthroat streams and rivers, super fun with dries and wets, but will also do nymphs and split shot, as well as small streamers when called upon.
I just obtained the 7pc combo....it was factory made with a second butt section, so that it can be a 9' 6pc rod or a 7'6" 5pc rod....pretty cool, actually! It seems to be more of a 5wt after my initial test casting, but also will throw a 6wt just fine as well, especially in closer quarters. I think I could do bluegill to bass, small trout to big trout, on small waters or big waters with this combo rod.
Anyway, both of these rods are medium action, super smooth and accurate, yet will effortlessly toss a lot of line when called upon. I see a Fisher Original model pop up every so often, as well as an occasional fiberglass rod (very sought after), but can't recall seeing a Classic Graphite in recent years at all.
I've really gotten into fiberglass fly rods as of late, but do appreciate these Fisher graphite rods.
Does anyone have any old Fisher catalogs, or otherwise know approximately when these rods were manufactured? I'm reasonably sure it was in the 1980's to mid-1990's, but would appreciate any further info.
- Tom
Hi Ken, and thanks for replying here!
Your namesake is a legend of sorts in American fly fishing modern history. I hope all is well for you!
- Tom
Hello Tom,
As I remember the 3 rods you are talking about were from 86 until early 90s. If I remember right the gray painted colored rod was a model that we sold for cheaper, it was to use up the tips that were not as straight as we would have used for the expensive models and the gray color was to keep that model separate from the others.
Glad to see people still enjoy our rods!
J. Kennedy Fisher IV ( Ken ) My dad was Joe Fisher.
Your namesake is a legend of sorts in American fly fishing modern history. I hope all is well for you!
- Tom
QUOTE(JKF4 @ Jan 14 2009, 06:31 PM)
Hello Tom,
As I remember the 3 rods you are talking about were from 86 until early 90s. If I remember right the gray painted colored rod was a model that we sold for cheaper, it was to use up the tips that were not as straight as we would have used for the expensive models and the gray color was to keep that model separate from the others.
Glad to see people still enjoy our rods!
J. Kennedy Fisher IV ( Ken ) My dad was Joe Fisher.
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